Sensor Coordinate Conversion for Shape-Shifting Mobile Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile terminals with changing shapes face issues in using sensors as input devices due to varying measurement results based on the device's shape, as the installation position of sensors affects movement detection, leading to inconsistent input functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a combination of sensors, including accelerometers and magnetic sensors, to measure movement conditions and convert these values into shape-condition values, allowing the sensor to function as an input device regardless of the terminal's shape, through coordinate conversion and middleware processing, enabling seamless use across different shapes and reducing development load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a sensor is installed in a mobile terminal with changing shapes, then the sensor can detect movement, but the measurement results vary according to the device shape
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts sensor measurement values based on shape-condition values that represent different device shapes. By changing the parameter representation from raw sensor data to shape-adjusted values, the system maintains measurement precision across varying device configurations without requiring physical sensor repositioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coordinate conversion mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the sensor and the application. This converter receives raw sensor measurements and transforms them into standardized values that are independent of device shape, effectively mediating the inconsistency caused by shape changes.
2Device complexity
If the sensor installation position is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but measurement results change when the device shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical solution of repositioning sensors with different device shapes by implementing a software-based coordinate conversion system. Instead of physically adjusting sensor positions to maintain reliability, the system uses computational transformation to achieve the same effect, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining input functionality consistency.
3Measurement precision
If coordinate conversion is implemented for each application, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but development complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal coordinate conversion mechanism that serves multiple applications simultaneously. Rather than implementing separate conversion logic in each application, the system provides a shared conversion layer that can be reused across different applications, reducing development workload while maintaining measurement precision for all users.
Data Source
AI summary
In a measured-value converting process, a shape-condition converting process and an absolute coordinate system converting process (S16) are performed on a value measured by a sensor. In the shape-condition converting process, when a mobile terminal has a shape 1 and shape 2, the converting process is not performed (S12 and S13). When the mobile terminal has a shape 3, a converting process of rotating through 180° around YS axis is performed (S14). Moreover, when the mobile terminal has a shape 4, a converting process of rotating through 180° around ZS axis (S15) is performed. Therefore, even in an information processing apparatus of which a shape changes, a sensor which detects a movement of the information processing apparatus can be used as an input device, irrespective of the shape.